Dave Bakke: What’ll it be? Fifty-three years behind the bar

I always knew Louie Smarjesse was an exceptional guy. Now I have proof.

A few years ago, the federal Bureau of Labor released statistics showing the number of jobs held by people from the age of 18 until they hit 46. Most people, it says, have 11 different jobs.

Louie is way above average, having held somewhere around 40 jobs, give or take five or so. Starting in 1961, 53 years ago by my count, he has tended bar at 27 different taverns, lounges, steak houses, supper clubs and flat-out dives. Many of those places are gone.

Granted, at 81 years old, he is a ways past the Bureau of Labor’s standard of 18 to 46, but that’s still an impressive number. And those are just his bartending jobs.

“I sold cars, too,” he says. “I worked for the Chevy dealership three different times when it was on Stevenson. For a while, I worked for an insurance company.” And he adds with a laugh, “As a con man.”

A country song I like says Jesus and bartenders hear it all. In 53 years, Louie has heard, and seen, it all — guns pulled and fired, fists thrown, love found (sometimes for the right price), love lost and hundreds of characters from both sides of the law.

The following is a list of the places he has tended bar, including his current stint at Gabatoni’s at Third and Laurel (the second time he has worked there) and a few of the stories that go with them:

1. Milano’s, 405 E. Monroe, where the main post office is now. It was his first bartending job. He was hired by owner Joe Albanese, who had a wooden leg. Joe also worked at Allis Chalmers, then came to the bar after his shift ended late at night. First thing he did was see how many cigarette butts were on the floor. The more butts there were, the better night the bar had.

2. Abe Lincoln Hotel, Fifth and Capitol.

3. Mansion View (twice), on South Fourth. The place had a French motif, complete with a mural on the wall depicting a Parisian scene. The owner made Louis wear a beret. “I hated it,” he says. “And the waitress had this long cigarette holder.” I don’t think anyone was fooled into thinking they were in Paris. No one sober, anyway.

4. Illinois Executive Mansion, for a party thrown by then-Gov. Dan Walker. “Del Wilson got me that job. They had this big reception line, and Walker and other government people were shaking hands, greeting guests. Walker looks down the line, and there’s Del Wilson standing with the rest of the big shots, shaking hands and greeting guests. Walker says, ‘Who the hell is that guy?’ He was told that was one of the bartenders. “Get him the hell out of here,” Walker shouted.

5. The Robin Hood on Wabash (site of the Barrel Head).

6. Par A Dice on MacArthur (site of Ross Isaac).

7. Village Pump, Indianapolis.

8. The Flaming Pit, Town and Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Boulevard.

9. Don Henry’s, Town and Country.

10. Harness House on Wabash. Owner was George Harness. One night, Louie worked while Count Basie and his orchestra played live.

11. Ideal Lounge, Spring and Cook.

12. Rosalie’s Place, Maple Avenue.

13. D&J’s, Maple Avenue.

14. DiCenso’s Black Angus on Wabash.

15. Blue Moon, Peoria Road (Louie was co-owner).

16. The Embers, Clear Lake and Dirksen (twice).

17. Sand Bar, Mechanicsburg Road. “They had a big picture window there that looked out on the horseshoe pits. I was looking out the window and these brothers were playing horseshoes and they get into a fight. I’m watching out the window and there’s a state cop in there. He says to me, ‘Louie, why don’t you go out there and break that up?’ I said, ‘Why don’t you? You’re a cop!’” A couple of minutes after they got tired of punching each other, the brothers were hugging each other.

18. Griff’s Tavern on Melrose (owner).

19. Gabatoni’s (twice, presently on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.). A guy came in one night, pulled a gun on Louie and told him to empty the cash register. Louie opened it and gave the guy all the cash and change. Louie’s wife, Sue, points out that when Louie pulled out the cash drawer, it covered up his tip jar, so he was able to keep that. The guy made his getaway on a bicycle. Springfield police arrived within five minutes. The robber was never found.

20. George Rank’s, Sixth and Laurel.

21. Ben’s Place, Auburn (one night only).

22. Top of the Arch, Sixth and Ash.

23. Lake Club (part time).

24. Governor Hotel on East Jefferson.

25. Oak Crest Country Club

26. Crowne Plaza Hotel, South Dirksen (part time).

27. Supper Club, South Sixth near the Cozy Dog. Louie was the owner. He had a blind piano player named Donnie Ray. One evening, after playing at Nashville North in Taylorville, Charlie Pride came into the Supper Club. Louie had a little trouble convincing Donnie (who was blind, remember) that Charlie was actually in the club. But he eventually got it, and Charlie Pride consented to sing a few while Donnie accompanied him on piano. “Within a few minutes,” says Louie, “the phone rings. ‘Hey, is Charlie Pride there?’ Yeah. Then it rang again. ‘Is Charlie Pride there?’ Yes. Again. Again. And this was before cellphones. I don’t know how they all found out so fast.

“The place ended up so packed, the waitresses couldn’t move around to sell drinks. I ended up losing money!”

Those are only a few of Louie’s stories. But they are about the only ones I could safely print without getting sued.

Know of something quirky? Emotional? Funny? Inspiring? Dave Bakke is your man and his deadline is always near. Pitch your idea to him at dave.bakke@sj-r.com or (217) 788-1541. His column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. To read more, visit www.sj-r.com/bakke.

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